Something I haven't seen with a quick glance through the comments: Jim's son, whose voice sounds just like his father's, used to do cover shows of his dad's work. The last song of his shows was this song, in its original recorded form, played over the speakers. Jim's son would leave the stage, with his guitar leaning against the stool he sat on for the show. I get it, if my father wrote a song like this for me, there's no way in hell I could sing it in front of others. The fact he could perform any of them is a testament to his strength, but it's such a powerful statement of love to leave the stage and let his father have the last song of the night. Ugh, right in the feels every time.
I sent this to my Country Music loving husband via skype when he was in Iraq. He loved it. Years later, he was one of the veterans that was caught up in the VA waiting list debacle. He died of rectal cancer. He was in a hospital bed in our bedroom and I knew the end was near. I pulled up his favorite gospel song and this one right after it. A little loud because he didn't seem conscious. Half way through I felt such emotion feelings of being alone and sadness. When the song ended, I thought what is that? It was silence, his breathing had stopped. He died in the middle of the song. Tears again 6 years later, this is the first time I've dared to hear it.
My husband and I had 41 years together and I'd do every single second, minute, hour, day with him again if I could. He passed away in 2014. This song was always a special one for us. Yeah, I shed a few tears listening....
My mom can’t listen to this song because after 35 years of marriage, he died of throat cancer. I was truly blessed to watch them be in love while growing up. Sorry you lost your love 💗
@Allen Wilson Yo, take ur skeptical bitter comments and go for a walk! If u cant appreciate true love don't ruin it by spreading ur negativity onto others.
Just to add some details; He began writing the song the night his wife, Ingrid, found out she was pregnant (with their only child, Adrian James "AJ”). AJ (born Sept. 28, 1971) was just 8 days shy of 2 when his dad was killed in the plan crash (Sept. 20, 1973). There's a good "behind the song" video with Ingrid & AJ; ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-WNPbavw50T8.html
I knew someone back in the day whose name was Leroy, nice guy. Anyway, the 1st time i meet him he was yeah my name is Leroy like the song, baddest man in the whole damn town. I was like I love that song but you must not have listened to what happened to Leroy cause he was missing a couple pieces at the end.
Jim Croce and Gordon Lightfoot two of the best singer/songwriters ever. Up there with Joni Mitchell, Carole King, Carly Simon, James Taylor, Cat Stevens...
"I have to say I love you in a song" great song, Jim wrote it after a big fight with his wife and woke her up with it to apologize. She now owns a restaurant with a museum to Jim and his son plays there in memory of his dad.
I was married in January 1975 and this was the song that we had our first dance together. We have been together for more than 52 years. It was the perfect love song.
Jim’s surname is pronounced “crow-CHEE” Jim wrote more chart topping hits in such a short time. His tragic death cut short what might well have eclipsed the legendary McCartney, Lennon, Diamond, and Fogarty...combined! Another plane crash took this brilliance far too soon. If memory serves, the driver behind these lyrics was how Jim was taken by surprise with his wife’s pregnancy as he was at an all-time financial low. The next several months led to a flurry of songwriting genius as he fell in love with his wife all over again, and then his new experience as as a father of his infant son renewed his purpose and desires for his life. Jim Croce’s music has been with me for most of my life. His ability to encompass simple blue-collar, working-man’s themes made for music that transcended age, race, income, heritage...to make his shows and more importantly his fans an encapsulation of Americana...it was an example of music for everyone. You could hear Jim’s music on Country & Western radio, Pop stations, soft rock, soul r&b, as well as stations catering to foreign language speaking audiences. The quality of the songwriting and production has kept Jim’s recordings popular generation to generation and remains one of the most coveted singer/songwriters in history. I’m so glad you gave discovered the music of Jim Croce and reacted to his songs-not just for your own enjoyment, but to expose Jim’s music to countless younger viewers that may never have heard this legendary artist before! Another fine reaction, keep up the good work! 😃
I know most people think of a loved one when they hear this. I buried my Dad a year ago. He raised me on the music of his generation. Songs like this make me think of how much I need him in my life still today.
I lost my daddy last summer, he was far and away the greatest man I've ever known. I know he passed knowing how much he was loved, but it's still so hard. My comfort is in my belief, and his. We'll see each other again someday, and there'll be no more parting, no more pain.
I lost my mother in October of 18, her and my dad danced to this song at their wedding, or so I was told. I too was raised on jim croce. I remember we had the "photographs and memories" CD, and it didnt have a bad song on it.
Someone played it on a jukebox during my parent's first date and it's been their song for the past 46 years. And YES they did play it at their wedding and several Anniversaries since then.
My dad played this at my wedding. It was one of the few requests I had for the whole day. My wife had never actually listened to the lyrics until my dad sang it that day.
Jamel, I know you’re a busy man, but VH1 did a “Behind the Music” on Jim. You would be blessed by it. Jim was different. He didn’t care much about stardom or fame, but those who knew him loved him. This song was written for his unborn son. One of my favorites! During this period, your videos are helping all who listen.
Croce wrote the lyrics after his wife Ingrid told him she was pregnant. It was his swan song to her. When the song was released on 9/73 he died tragically few months later when the song became a hit.
Thanks Jamal, I’m from Ecuador, living in NY, but this is my favorite song from Croce since I was a teenager...many years ago. Music hasn’t frontiers!!!!
The first time I ever saw my Dad cry. He was working on the car with the radio on when the news came of mr Croce's passing. Jim has so many great songs 💃❤️🌹
Jim represents what beautiful music is. He is beautiful music. And i am privileged to have listened to his beautiful music. This is not just a song, this is a beautiful love poem that can change people in 2 minutes. Music is magic.
You're absolutely right absolutely right about this being a great wedding song. Many years ago my wife and I made this our first dance at our reception. I also encourage you to listen to "Today" by Jefferson Airplane which we believe is the most beautiful love song ever so we played it at the church just after we said our vows. My wife came down the isle with her dad to "The wedding song" by Noel Paul Stookey, of Peter Paul and Mary fame. I know I'm showing my age, but to my mind ours was the most perfect wedding ever due, in large part, to the emotion of the music. I would really like to see your reactions to these songs of love.
Time In A Bottle was on an album that was released a few months before he died. The song, as a single, hit #1 on the charts after he died. The song that was released the day after he died was I Got A Name.
"I've looked around enough to know you're the one I want to go thru time with" Yes! This was our wedding song. I skip it when it comes in rotation on iheart, because my better half passed suddenly in 2018, but wanted to see your reaction. Thru tears, newly subscribing.
More Uncle Jim....This was the song I dedicated to my wife at our wedding reception when I danced with her, found it funny how you said that. Love the artists your doing, keep it up.
Jim Croce was one of my favorite singers of all time. He could make you laugh your head off ("You Don't Mess Around With Jim" "Roller Derby Queen" ) in one hand, make you cry your heart out with true love ("I'll Have To Say I Love You In A Song" "Time In A Bottle") and on the third hand, He could just plain make you glad to be alive and proud to be who you are no matter what your station in life ("I've Got a Name"). any and all of Jim's songs would make for good reactions.
I just love the honest enjoyment that you get from this older music. I was 14 years old when he died and it moved me tremendously. It was probably my first encounter with a meaningless death. I am so moved hearing this today. Thank you.
My wife and I have been together for 53 years and have been married for 48 of them. We have had our ups and downs and have shed many tears together. But when you find that special person in your life fight to maintain what brought you together. Love, Hug, Live, and never walk through this life allowing anyone to feel unloved or unwanted. God Bless
This was the song my husband sang to me on the gig the night before the wedding. 44 years ago. Since that time we have had 5 children al but one that lived only 3 days are married and have 15 grandchildren. 14 years ago my husband had a heart transplant. The generosity of someone gave him a chance to meet 13 grandchildren and his youngest son's marriage. Our family get togethers have 25 people. He has been singing the entire 44 years. 20 of those years with his daughter. This song was his mother's and my favorite song. He has broken many hearts singing this song at weddings and gigs. Never fails to remind me of the treasure we have.
This song was on my daily playlist after my fiance passed away in 2001. That playlist helped me to get through the grieving process because it hit so deep.
I would take a listen to “One Less Set of Footsteps” and “I’ll have to say I love you in a song”. One of my all time favorite singers. Incredible talent.
My art teacher from high school sent me a link to watch. She said “this guy reminds me SO much of you. Every time I watch him I can’t help but hear you when I hear him. You guy’s are a lot alike”. After watching and subscribing I’m extremely flattered that she thought of me in that way. I am a fan, and I thank you for leaving such a positive impression on someone I hold very dear to my heart. Sending nothing but love and positive vibes to ya my brother. 🤟🏼(I graduated in 1992 btw)
The woman that I still love and will until the day I draw my last breath... if I could only be with her again, the joy that is missing from my life would be restored. This song perfectly reflects my feelings for her, and always will. Thanks for sharing.
Thank You so much for reacting to Our Brother Jim Croce - a Man Blessed by GOD through Our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ with a Poets Soul and a Troubadours Heart ❤️ A TRUE Artist ! ! !
When I was in college in the late 80's I was over at a proffs house working on a Float for Home Coming. She had Jim Croce's Greatest Hits. I put the LP on and after just a few seconds on of the young girls that were there asked if it was a new band. She was 18..
He actually wrote this song about his son. Sadly he was about to give up on music and get a regular job. He died before he really became successful and his music really took off after his death.
Croce was such a story teller. He was such an awesome singer. Never heard a song he wrote and sang that wasn't awesome. He could flip from love songs to roller derby queen and don't mess around with Jim and it was all just natural to him. I think he wrote about life good bad or ugly. This song was actually written for his son. I sing it for my forever 29 daughter Brandy.
One guy with a guitar created timeless music that still moves people, Beyonce takes an army of writers and producers to make a stupid pop song that will be forgotten in 6 months
Don't forget Maury! Those fingerstyle arrangements are all him. Jim wrote those fantastic songs and progressions but Maury Muehleisen's contributions set him over the top IMO. Such a shame they both died in that plane crash
There is such an unashamed vulnerability to this song! He just laid it all out there and sang it with the voice of a songbird. There was a feel to 1970's music {well, not all of it of course} that had an innocence to it. I always come back to that feeling when I hear music like this. It's true that they just don't make music like this anymore.